# NTSB ERA09CA117: Beech G35, N400SC, Chattanooga, TN, December 30, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2008, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Chattanooga, TN
- Coordinates: 35.035278, -85.203613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0353&lon=-85.2036&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA117

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the marked helicopter dolly. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech G35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech G35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1151516), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot landed and taxied toward his hangar during night, visual meteorological conditions. As the pilot entered a general aviation parking ramp, the right main landing gear struck a parked helicopter dolly. The right gear collapsed, the right wing forward and aft spars were damaged, and a fuel leak resulted. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the airport authority reported that the parked dolly was clearly marked. The pilot reported that he did not see the dolly prior to the collision.

## Factual narrative

The pilot landed on runway 20 and taxied toward his T-hangar. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. As the pilot entered a general aviation parking ramp, the right main landing gear struck a parked helicopter dolly. The right gear collapsed, the right wing forward and aft spars were damaged, and a fuel leak resulted. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the airport authority reported that the parked dolly was adequately marked. The pilot reported that he did not see the dolly prior to the collision.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400SC-2010-01-14), registration cancelled 2010-01-14, S/N D-4569, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G35
- Registry model: [Beech G35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g35) (registry code 1151516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4569
- Airframe hours: 7763
- Engines: CONT MOTOR E225 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Roberts, Jr.
- Registered owner: James W. Roberts, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2008, 30 hours before
- Departed: RNC, McMinnville, TN
- Destination: CHA, Chattanooga, TN
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: CHA, Lovell Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 7,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: CHA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20081230853799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081230853799A), Dec 30, 2008: Beech G35, Chattanooga, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot had landed at cha on rwy 20. He made a left turn off the active rwy. He was taxiing toward his t-hanger (#21) when his right main landing gear (MLG)…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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